UN Fact-Finding Mission in Myanmar: Australia calls for justice

Australia emphasizes the need for perpetrators of human rights abuses to be held accountable

The Australian government has welcomed the release of the summary report of the United Nations (UN) Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, and called for justice for the Rohingya victims.

The announcement came via a press release, issued by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, on Wednesday—stating that the UN has conducted a thorough, credible, and independent investigation of human rights abuses in northern Myanmar and Rakhine State.

The Fact-Finding Mission concludes that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide have occurred in Rakhine State. It recommends steps to pursue accountability for the atrocities detailed in the report, reads the press release.

The release further states that Australia is deeply disturbed by the conclusions of the Fact-Finding Mission. The country has consistently urged Myanmar to take action on human rights violations.

Australia repeated its call for justice for those who have suffered. Perpetrators must be held to account, and announced that it will continue to work internationally to this end, including through its position on the Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly.

The country will provide further comment on its response to the Fact-Finding Mission’s findings once the full report is published in September.

The Rohingya crisis is this region’s largest humanitarian emergency—with over 900,000 displaced Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and more than 530,000 in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Australia has responded generously in support of the Rohingya—providing $70 million in humanitarian assistance. This has delivered emergency supplies to Rakhine State; and food, shelter, clean water and essential health services to Cox’s Bazar.